Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Your inbox is full or emails about how everyone is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s difficult to know what to read first, let alone what to read at all.
On this page we have put together some of the most relevant and helpful news, videos, and articles of matters that affect strata corporations, strata owners, landlords and tenants.
If there is important information we have missed, please let us know.
COVID-19 Restrictions Eased on March 11
The Province of British Columbia announced that restrictions in place during the pandemic will be eased beginning March 11, 2022. The Province announced: With so many British Columbians stepping up to get vaccinated, we can now safely lift more COVID-19 restrictions,...
COVID-19 Restrictions Eased on February 17
The Province of British Columbia announced that restrictions in place during the pandemic will be eased beginning February 17, 2022. The Province announced: As we carefully ease some restrictions, people and businesses will be going at their own pace, for their own...
Electronic meetings enabled
Effective December 20, 2021, the Province extended strata corporations’ ability to hold electronic strata meetings, without a strata bylaw authorizing this, until December 31, 2022 (at the latest).
The ability to hold meetings or hearings using telephone conference calls or an online application, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, helps strata corporations comply with the orders and recommendations of B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer.
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Letter to Clients of Inspire Property Management (November 19, 2020)
November 19, 2020 Letter to clients of Inspire Property Management Re: Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) – New orders mandating masks and restricting gatherings We continue to be proactive in our response to the ever-evolving situation surrounding the novel...
Social gatherings banned in B.C., masks required indoors
Public health orders limiting social gatherings indoors are now extended across B.C., and masks are required in all indoor public and retail spaces after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a new slate of public health orders for the entire province Thursday.
The new health orders go into effect province-wide from Nov. 19 until Dec. 7 at midnight…
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$2,000 fines for hosts, promoters and organizers of large events
The province says stricter enforcement is necessary because a small number of British Columbians have been disregarding public health measures and continue to participate in indoor and outdoor events that increase the risk of transmission of the disease. “We can’t let the bad decisions made by a few erode the progress that we have made together,”… [Continued]
Rent-Related Evictions during COVID-19
on July 16, 2020, the provincial government released details of a repayment framework to be put in place later this summer. This framework is intended to assist tenants and landlords in anticipation of the ban on non-payment of rent-related evictions being lifted on September 1, 2020. Beginning September 1, 2020, tenants will be required to pay their monthly rent in full.
No winners between landlords and tenants during COVID-19
“I think what people often forget in this whole thing is landlords usually have only one or two investment properties … Most of the rules to protect tenants are to protect them against the big company that has 1,000 units and if 100 of them are vacant, they are going to survive no problem.” – Greg Bickert of Inspire Property Management
Fischer & Company: Collections During COVID-19 Health Emergency
This month’s newsletter contains important advice about addressing strata fee and special levy arrears. This is an important subject for strata council’s and strata managers to be familiar. With the economic downturn and mass layoff we are all likely to encounter many owners struggling to pay their fair share of the costs to maintain the building and strata cooperation assets.
Limitation Periods Suspended During Pandemic
Limitation periods to commence court proceedings in British Columbia have been suspended, and statutory decision-makers have been provided discretion to waive, suspend or extend time periods related to their powers. This is good news for strata corporations concerned...
Province takes unprecedented steps to support COVID-19 response
The Province of British Columbia has named property management an essential service, among many other vital service sectors necessary to support and maintain food, shelter, utilities, and health for British Colombians. With this classification our clients can feel comforted…
City of Kelowna Fire Department Suspends Enforcement of Mandatory In-Suite Inspections
The City of Kelowna Fire Department announced today that they will be suspending enforcement of the statutory requirement for strata corporations and landlords to inspect and test in-suite fire safety devices. But, the Fire Department will require that if a strata or...
Clark Wilson: The COVID-19 Pandemic – Financial Issues for Strata Corporations
Like everyone else, once we have the social distancing on lock, there are a number of financial issues that come up. The three most frequent questions that have come up in the last few days are as follows: 1. How does the strata corporation pay for unexpected or large expenses like insurance premiums?…
Condominium Home Owners Association: Convening a general meeting by restricted proxy
The Condominium Home Owners Association (CHOA) released a very helpful video to explain how to convene a meeting by restricted proxy. What the video below. For more helpful resources from CHOA, visit their “What’s Happening” page here: https://www.choa.bc.ca/whats-happening/
Letter to Clients of Inspire Property Management (March 19, 2020)
March 19, 2020 Letter to Inspire Property Management Clients Re: Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Cash Payments No Longer Accepted Dear valued clients, We are continuing to be proactive in our response to the rapidly evolving situation surrounding the novel...
Clark Wilson: The COVID-19 Pandemic – Advice for Strata Corporations
The COVID-19 virus has arrived. For the first time in 11 years, the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic. Multiple times a day we are being told by our governments to stay home, as much as possible. Health Canada has asked all travelers…
Letter to Clients of Inspire Property Management (March 16, 2020)
March 16, 2020 Letter to Inspire Property Management Clients Re: Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Dear valued clients, The world is facing a global pandemic which has already had devastating effects. Our hearts go out to those affected by the novel coronavirus...
Fischer & Company Law Corp: Newsletter – March 2020 COVID-19
Update on Cancelling Meetings (The Covid-19 Corona Virus)
This Morning, the Provincial Government ordered the cancellation of all meetings with more than 50 people attending.That directive is binding upon strata corporations, and should be adhered to until further restricted…
Fischer & Company Law Corp: Newsletter – March 2020
Coping With Community Spread of Illness (The Covid-19 Corona Virus)
The corona virus outbreak may or may not prove to be a serious public health issue in Canada. However what is certain is that some owners will be nervous about attending general meetings if this or any other communicable illness is heavily…